Letters to the Editor, May 24

On June 24, 2007, I, together with my sister and brother, will walk for cancer in Salem. We will start at Salem Willows Park walking to Salem State College, and back to Salem Willows.

Help fight cancerTo the editor:

On June 24, 2007, I, together with my sister and brother, will walk for cancer in Salem. We will start at Salem Willows Park walking to Salem State College, and back to Salem Willows.

You will see only me because my sister, Freda Keohane, died of cancer July 25, 1984. Also, my brother John George died of leukemia Feb. 19, 1999. You won’t see them, but one of them will be on each side of me.

I would appreciate any donations to help fight this deadly disease. Checks should be made out to the North Shore Medical Center for Cancer and sent to Jim George, 57 Sylvan St., unit 3D, Danvers 01923.

Jim GeorgeSylvan StreetDanvers

When bad weather happens to good eventsTo the editor:

This past Sunday was the 11th annual North Shore Arc Walk and Family Celebration. Unfortunately, due to the weather, we may have been more successful holding a canoe race than a walk. The driving rain kept many of our walkers away from the event. To those that did attend, I extend my sincere thanks. Whether walking with a family or group, pushing strollers or wheelchairs, rushing to complete the route or walking slowly to help someone not so steady on their feet, the sight of these dedicated individuals wrapped in blankets, peeking out of hoods, and attempting to stay dry under umbrellas was truly inspirational. I am in awe of each and everyone one of you.

As we returned to the Holten-Richmond Middle School as the site of our walk for the first time in several years, I would like to thank the Town of Danvers for their support. My thanks also go to the many volunteers who make this event run so smoothly. We couldn’t possibly do it without you.

When bad weather happens to good events the problem goes much deeper than some soggy sneakers. It truly affects the revenue we need to support individuals with developmental and other disabilities in the communities we serve. Therefore, if you pledged to support a walker who wasn’t able to participate due to the weather, I ask you to support them anyway. If you were planning to walk but couldn’t make it, for any reason, please send your pledges in as soon as possible. If you hadn’t pledged money to a walker, it is not too late to contribute to our Walk. Your dollars are critical to cover the costs of valued programs and services in our community.

Again, thank you to everyone who supports the North Shore Arc and the programs and services we provide to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

I look forward to seeing many more of you walking at next year’s, hopefully much drier, North Shore Arc Walk and Family Celebration.